GLAAD STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO PRO-EQUALITY VICTORIES IN 2023 ELECTION

GLAAD: “Voters for LGBTQ equality and everyone’s fundamental freedoms came out in force in the 2023 election, reflecting the reality that a supermajority of Americans support LGBTQ people and our right not to be discriminated against. The results will lead to a better lived reality for LGBTQ people in the South and Midwest, and send a message to all lawmakers: LGBTQ people are valued members of our communities, we value everyone’s freedom to be themselves and make their own health care decisions, and we embrace diversity in our elected officials. LGBTQ voters and our allies must continue to use the power of their voice and votes for equality and a more just and prosperous country, and build on this momentum for the consequential elections of 2024 – we can’t wait.”

(New York, NY – November 7, 2023) Today GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to the projected results of the 2023 election in Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio that advanced LGBTQ equality and representation, as well as pro-equality candidates and issues.

Kentucky re-elected Governor Andy Beshear, who had vetoed anti-transgender bills passed by extremists in the legislature. See Gov. Beshear’s LGBTQ record here.

Ohio voters chose to enshrine the right to reproductive health care into the state constitution. Voters in seven consecutive states have now expanded access to reproductive freedom since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year.

Virginia is poised to secure a pro-equality majority in the state Senate, and elected the chamber’s first out transgender elected official, Danica Roem. The new Senate will be a firewall to the anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion efforts of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. See Youngkin’s LGBTQ record here.

Mississippi elected its first out gay lawmaker to the state legislature, Fabian Nelson.

Rhode Island elected Gabe Amo, the first Black man to represent Rhode Island in Congress, succeeding out LGBTQ Rep. David Cicilline.

Philadelphia elected its first woman as mayor, Cherelle Parker, and its first out LGBTQ person to city council, Rue Landau.

Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her), President and CEO of GLAAD, released the following statement:

“Voters for LGBTQ equality and everyone’s fundamental freedoms came out in force in the 2023 election, reflecting the reality that a supermajority of Americans support LGBTQ people and our right not to be discriminated against. The results will lead to a better lived reality for LGBTQ people in the South and Midwest, and send a message to all lawmakers: LGBTQ people are valued members of our communities, we value everyone’s freedom to be themselves and make their own health care decisions, and we embrace diversity in our elected officials. LGBTQ voters and our allies must continue to use the power of their voice and votes for equality and a more just and prosperous country, and build on this momentum for the consequential elections of 2024 – we can’t wait.”

Additional research:

• GLAAD: A supermajority (91%) of non-LGBTQ Americans agree that LGBTQ people should have the freedom to live their life and not be discriminated against.

• In 2023, state lawmakers introduced a record 500+ bills targeting LGBTQ people and youth and their access to essential health care, school sports, inclusive curriculum and books.

• Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers in Virginia proposed more than two dozen bills directly targeting LGBTQ people, in particular, transgender Virginians. Of the 12 anti-transgender-related bills introduced, all were defeated.

• Although the overwhelming majority of bills introduced across the country failed to advance or become law, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from elected officials and in the public square continues to cause real-world harm, per the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.

• Before 2020, no state had ever introduced legislation to ban health care for transgender Americans, which has been safely prescribed for decades and has the support of every major medical association and leading health authority. Statements from 30+ medical associations in support of transgender health care are available here.

• Drag bans have now been struck down in multiple states including Tennessee, Florida, Montana and Texas. GLAAD has documented at least 160 incidents of violence and threats against drag performances across the country.

• Book bans have proliferated in schools and communities, most targeting books by and about LGBTQ people, and books about race and racism. 78% of Americans say they would be less likely to support candidates who back book bans. Moms for Liberty, an anti-LGBTQ extremist group that bills itself as a so-called “parental rights” organization, is a driving force behind book challenges.

• ADL’s Center on Extremism and GLAAD have documented more than 500 incidents of violence, harassment, and vandalism since June 2022.